Monday, October 31, 2016

Today in Soap Opera History (October 31)

1968: Joan Crawford aired for the final time on The Secret Storm.
1980: Edge of Night's Clown Puppet killer was lurking.
1985: Capitol's Leanne collapsed.
1985: Santa Barbara's C.C. remained on life support.

"More and more, I tend to read history. I often find it more up to date than the daily newspapers."
― Joe Murray

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Mrs. Johnson (Clarice Blackburn) walked in while Joe (Joel Crothers) was trying to kill Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) so Joe ran off. Elizabeth (Joan Bennett) and Roger (Louis Edmonds) found Joe in the Collins mausoleum and brought him back to Collinwood where he addmitted that he tried to kill Barnabas, and said he would try again.

Joan asked that no publicity be issued for her appearance but the network couldn't resist the temptation. On the first day of rehearsals, Joan was greeted by the press which added to her nervousness. During rehearsal, Silverman visited the set and thanked Joan for her help. On the day of taping, Joan brought a Pepsi-Cola cooler of vodka. Monty attempted to keep her away from the alcohol during taping but Joan's performance was poor. Afterwards, the director pieced together what he could of the performance into the series. When asked to comment, Christina said "I couldn't exactly jump and down in bed about it, but it was fantastic she would care that much."

1974: On Another World, Steve (George Reinholt) was upset with Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) for not telling him she was taking Jamie away, but became concerned when he noticed she was not well.

1980: On The Edge of Night, the Clown Puppet lurked outside the law Offices of Karr & Scott with a knife.

1985: On Santa Barbara, Gina (Linda Gibboney) plotted to pull the plug on CC's life support and frame Eden.

1985: On Loving, tensions rose between Stacey (Lauren-Marie Taylor) and Jack (Perry Stephens) while they were on the run.

1986: On Another World, Mary (Denise Alexander) left Reginald and the Love Estate, and Reginald only Victoria (Rhonda Lewin) understood. "You will die for this, Michael Hudson!" Reginald screamed.

1988: On General Hospital, after Anna (Finola Hughes) overheard Robert (Tristan Rogers) tell Duke (Ian Buchanan) that Olivia Jerome (Tonja Walker) caused her accident, she left the hospital and showed up at Olivia's...with a gun.

1989: On Another World, Cecile (Nancy Frangione) made her return to Bay City by helicopter. Cecile told Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) she came to honor Mac's memory by funding a charity in his name, and managed to weasel her way into staying at the Cory mansion.

1990: On General Hospital, a very pregnant Felicia (Kristina Wagner), in a clown costume was accidentally locked outside the Brownstone.

Thanks to Enrique Buenrostro for sending in the item above.

1994: On All My Children, Laurel (Felicity LaFortune) crashed her car after Janet (Robin Mattson) tampered with her brakes.

1995: Actress Rosalind Cash died at age 56. She played Mary Mae Ward in General Hospital.

1996: Actor Arthur Peterson died at age 83. He originated the role of Rev. Rutledge in The Guiding Light in 1937, and played the part until 1946. On television, his roles included The Major in Soap, and Andy Anderson in Hawkins Falls.

2003: On Guiding Light, Marah (Lindsey McKeon) held a fashion show with most of Springfield in attendance, either watching or modeling. Later, Nico (Troy Kurtis) was stabbed and Sandy (Scott Bailey) revealed to Marah that he was Jonathan, her brother.

2004: Former Days of our Lives, Dark Shadows and Guiding Light actor Don Briscoe died at age 64.

2005: On The Bold and the Beautiful, Katherine Chancellor (The Young and the Restless crossover star Jeanne Cooper) arrived in LA and met with Massimo (Joseph Mascolo) and Stephanie (Susan Flannery).

2006: On Guiding Light, Josh (Robert Newman) processed the news that Reva (Kim Zimmer) had been suffering with cancer.

2008: Studs Terkel died at age 96. He starred in radio soap operas like Ma Perkins and Road of Life. What he called his “low, husky, menacing” voice made him a natural to play heavies.

Dallas star Barbara Bel Geddes (Miss Ellie) was born 93 years ago today. She passed away on August 8, 2005, at age 82. Brent Collins, who starred in Another World (Wallingford) and As the World Turns (Mr. Big), would have turned 74 today. He died in 1988 at age 46.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a soap history entry for this date or a future date, email editor@welovesoaps.com.